International scam syndicates that once ran large-scale operations in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are believed to be relocating parts of their networks to Malaysia, according to the Malaysian Humanitarian Organisation (MHO).
MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation had identified at least two locations in Malaysia linked to scam syndicate activity. He said the groups had been operating discreetly from these sites for more than six months.
The shift follows intensified enforcement by regional authorities and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against scam compounds across Southeast Asia.
“It is deeply embarrassing that Malaysia is now being used as a haven for scammers after years of efforts to rescue victims from Myanmar and Cambodia,” Hishamuddin told reporters at a press conference.
A former scam centre worker, known only as Rex, backed up the claims. He spent nearly two years trapped in a syndicate after accepting what he thought was a legitimate job offer.
Rex left Malaysia in April 2024 after being promised a customer service role in Dubai paying between US$5,000 (RM19,800) and US$8,000 (RM31,700) a month. Instead, he was moved to Laos and forced to work for a scam operation.
“The operation employed hundreds of workers of various nationalities, including Africans, Indonesians and Malaysians, with many supervisors originating from China,” he said.
Workers were housed in heavily guarded compounds and made to work up to 13 hours a day. Those who missed daily targets faced mandatory overtime.
“The salary they promised never existed. Food, accommodation and daily expenses were deducted from our wages. Many workers ended up with almost nothing,” Rex said.
The syndicate ran online investment and task-based scams. Victims were first allowed to earn small returns on simple tasks to build trust. Once they invested larger amounts, the platform wiped them out.
“The first few transactions are designed to build trust. Once victims believe the platform is real, they are encouraged to invest larger amounts. That is when they lose everything,” Rex said.
Workers who failed to recruit enough victims faced salary deductions. Those trying to leave were told to pay up to RM60,000 before being allowed to return home.
Rex eventually made it back to Malaysia in April 2026, but lost nearly everything.
“My house was repossessed. My car was repossessed. I came home with nothing,” he said.
Hishamuddin said MHO plans to lodge an official complaint with authorities once the two identified centres are confirmed.
He urged the public to be cautious of overseas job offers promising unusually high salaries with minimal qualifications. Legitimate employers issue offer letters, process work permits and arrange visas through official channels. The absence of these procedures is a major warning sign.
Anyone with information on suspicious recruitment or scam operations is encouraged to come forward. MHO said confidentiality is assured for whistleblowers.
Source: New Straits Times
